Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to strengthen the regulation of criminal background checks in Louisiana's gaming industry by amending and reenacting several sections of the Louisiana Revised Statutes, including R.S. 15:587(C) and R.S. 47:9065(B), while also enacting new sections such as R.S. 4:147.3 and R.S. 27:20.1. The bill empowers the Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Louisiana office of charitable gaming to access state and national criminal history records from the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification and Information and the FBI. It emphasizes public safety by regulating the licensing of individuals involved in gaming activities and introduces requirements for applicants to submit fingerprints for background checks, along with provisions for confidentiality and associated costs.

Additionally, the bill enhances the criminal background investigation processes for individuals in the gaming and horse racing industries by mandating that the gaming enforcement division submit applicant names for licensure to the Bureau for thorough background checks. The Bureau is tasked with conducting these checks and may charge a processing fee. The legislation also grants the Louisiana State Racing Commission and other relevant bodies the authority to obtain criminal history information, establishing a framework for submitting fingerprints and ensuring that applicants bear the costs of these checks. The changes are set to take effect on August 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
SB339 Original: 15:587(C), 27:15(B)(1), 47:9065(B)